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While the methods for disciplining humans have thankfully evolved, it remains one of the most challenging parental duties.
For some, adopting a more authoritarian approach is best, but one father has shown that it is possible to turn the whole thing into a more democratic affair.
Sharing what can only be described as one hell of a parenting hack, this US-based dad pulled off what many parents believe to be the impossible: getting his two hysterical, tantrum-throwing toddler daughters to calm down.
"Works every single time," he told the NY Post.
It's the only time we can condone using one's mental prowess to trick a child, and we're calling it the 'It's my turn to cry' method.
It works by turning any emotional, teary outburst into a game in which only one participant is allowed to cry at a time. Sounds simple enough, no?
Watch and learn:
And if you think that was just a once-off, here's the mastermind repeating the magic.
Since going viral with his unique parenting hack, the US father has been hailed as a genius, and we can't say we have a problem with that!
Here are some other top tips for dealing with tantrums:
5 ways you can discipline your child without hitting them
A conversation, not a screaming match, can help your child identify what it is they did wrong or how they should behave.
Is it possible to discipline your child without reward or punishment?
Research shows that giving your child the scope to be self-directed is much more powerful than traditional notions of punishment or reward. But they do need limits, here's how.
Five alternative discipline strategies that actually work
Positive parenting is hard work, but the pay-off could be immeasurable.
Inuit, Aboriginal and other indigenous discipline methods from around the world
When it comes to discipline, indigenous societies prefer to keep things playful and calm. Here we look at a few surprising methods from remote cultures.
Scaring or scarring: Does the Boogeyman really work for disciplining a child?
Invoking the threat of punishment via an otherworldly character might take playing the bad guy out of a parent's hands, but are we just creating future anxieties and fears for our children?
Do you have a similar 'trick' that works wonders with talking your child down from an outburst? Find our details below and share your tips with us.
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Read more:
"Only one of us is allowed to freak out at a time" and other priceless advice for couples parenting in their 30s and 40s
"What is your biggest regret about how you raised your kids?": Parenting advice from moms and dads who've been there
Listen up, dads! Here's what your daughters wished you knew
